ENG vs AUS: Australia likely to make changes ahead of the second ODI

A new looking Australian team is in England for the One-Day International series. The result of the first match didn’t quite go their way as the hosts secured a close win at the Oval and lead the series 1-0. Ahead of the second match at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff the visitors are expected to make a few changes in the lineup.

Australia without their key players David Warner and Steve Smith with the bat also miss the likes of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins in the bowling department. In their absence, the responsibility of the bowling department is on 27-year-old Kane Richardson who has played just 18 ODIs. He could pick only one wicket in the first ODI and it is expected that the selectors will look at other available options.

In the squad, they have a couple of backup names for Richardson and it is expected that the selectors could consider swapping him with D’Arcy Short or Alex Carey. Though they don’t have a lot of experience to boast of at this level but their performance in the Big Bash League is what backs their claim.

It was quite evident with the way things panned out in the first ODI that Tim Paine & Co. need to bolster their batting department. At the same time considering how the bowlers responded at the Oval, it will not make a lot of difference even if they were to walk into the game with a seamer less.

The Brist, on the other hand, also have to iron out flaws in their batting, in a low-scoring game they almost exhausted their resources in the chase. Moeen Ali once again couldn’t take the team over the line and it was David Willey’s low order charge that took them home with 3 wickets in hand.

Australia Probable XI

Alex Carey/D’Arcy Short, Shaun Marsh, Aaron Finch, Tim Paine (c & wk), Glenn Maxwell, Michael Neser, Travis Head, Ashton Agar, Marcus Stoinis, Billy Stanlake, Andrew Tye

The two teams meet for the 2nd ODI on June 16 at Cardiff.

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